Always Rejoicing.
If our heart do not condemn us, we have confidence in God,
We can bear the world’s reproaches, we can bear affliction’s rod;
If we suffer with the Saviour, we shall also with him reign,
Here we cast our burden on him, with the promise, he’ll sustain.
What though false reports are started, and believed by those we love?
We can love though they turn from us; we can plead for them above;
Lord, impart the Holy Spirit; for the want of this they erred;
Had they waited for thy teachings, they the Shepherd’s voice had heard;
Would have known thy stately steppings, when thy glory was displayed;
Would have felt the holy influence, and thine urgent call obeyed.
Oh! withhold no blessing from them, for the wrong dealt out to me,
But for Jesus’ sake have mercy; mercy, Lord, is all our plea.
Jesus has pronounced a blessing on those falsely here accused,
Who for his sake are derided, persecuted and abused;
He has said, Rejoice, in that day ye may be exceeding glad,
Greater still our joy in Heaven, when in robes of glory clad.
He will hide in his pavilion; there we’re safe from every foe,
Under the Almighty’s shadow we can through disasters go;
Well can we bear wrongs and censure, while God knows our innocence,
While he justifies us freely; is our shield and our defense.
Glory to the Lord, my Saviour! glory to his holy name!
Oh! for his sake I can suffer, bear reproach and grief and shame!
Who, with such a friend as Jesus, can be troubled or dismayed?
Who while on the waters walking, said, ’Tis I, be not afraid.
He can still the raging tempest; him the winds and waves obey;
While we sail these seas of trouble, he will smooth and calm the way.
Soon the ship will be in harbor, storms and tempests all be o’er;
Oh! how blest the glorious landing, tossed with sins and griefs no more!